This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, a tragic incident occurred in Nairobi's Mukuru-Kayaba slum, claiming the life of a 30-year-old boda boda operator, Thomas Ngunya Mwangi.
According to eyewitnesses, Mwangi was taking a bath in his house when he accidentally touched a faulty water heater, resulting in his electrocution.
Neighbours heard him screaming for help and rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, they found him dead.
The incident has left the community in a sombre mood, with many residents expressing shock and sadness over the loss of life.
Illegal electricity connections in slums have been attributed as the major causes of fires in the informal settlements in Nairobi.
Confirming the incident, Nyumba kumi chairman Jacob Ibrahim cautioned residents to be careful when dealing with electrical appliances at home.
"We rushed to the house where we met smoke engulfing the whole house. My husband kicked the door since it had been locked from inside but it was too late. We found him lying down half-naked with one hand holding the water heater. My husband switched it off but he was already dead," said Carolyne Achieng, Mwangi's neighbour.
Just days before, another man died in Kayaba slum while making illegal electricity connections.
Landi Mawe area chief Patrick Weru also cautioned residents against illegal tapping of electricity.
Another incident of electrocution occurred in Eldoret, where a man died after he was electrocuted while chatting with his lover next to an electric pole.
